McCann New York COO Leaves to Join Deloitte Digital

By Erik Oster 

Another agency veteran has left to join a consultancy.

McCann New York chief operating officer Rich Whalen is leaving the agency to join Deloitte Digital as general manager of Deloitte Digital’s national studio and creative sector.

In the role, Whalen will be tasked with managing a network of integrating creative, data design and innovation capabilities across the network of 48 studios, optimizing cross-team studio operations, growth, collaboration, margin, cost, quality and culture. He will report to Anthony Stephan, who serves as head of Deloitte Digital U.S.

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“With decades of experience running large agency operations, we’re confident Rich will scale, integrate and optimize our rapidly growing studio network. His deep agency strategy and operations expertise will make him a tremendous resource for both our clients and our cross-agency teams,” Stephan said in a statement. “Rich’s people management and development skills are some of his biggest strengths, and we couldn’t be more excited to bring him on board during this time of tremendous growth.”

In his most recent position at McCann, Whalen led client operations for a team of over 700. Before being promoted to his most recent position two years ago, he served in roles as director of operations and business operations lead, North America. Before joining McCann around eight years ago, he spent eight years with RAPP, most recently serving as senior vice president, head of delivery.

Whalen’s arrival follows the departure of Andy Bateman, national lead partner, innovation strategy for Deloitte in Australia, in May to join Sid Lee as U.S. CEO. Deloitte Digital had a visible presence at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity last month, primarily through its “Goals House” devoted to sustainable development goals and role as the festival’s sustainability partner.

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